Gatineau, Quebec, 29 September 2008
EADS Defence & Security today announced a major expansion plan to make PlantCML in Gatineau, Quebec, its North American R&D and top-level technological support centre for the large-scale P25 public safety and security digital communications systems market.
PlantCML, acquired earlier this year by EADS Defence & Security, will provide the R&D and client support services for Secure Networks (SN), an integrated activity of EADS Defence and Security division.
SN is a leading provider of the world’s largest public safety systems. It has implemented more than 180 large-scale digitally encrypted secure systems in more than 65 countries. It most recently provided its digital technology and security systems services for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China. It also provided these systems for the Turin Winter Olympics in Italy.
The plans announced today will make PlantCML Gatineau site the centre of excellence for SN P25 R&D and operations.
“PlantCML will be at the heart of our operations to serve existing and new clients across North America in the rapidly expanding market for the new wave of integrated public and private digital security communications systems,” said EADS Secure Networks President Jean-Marc Nasr.
SN foresees an estimated 25% increase to the current highly skilled workforce of 160 in the Gatineau facility and an expected expansion of facilities to accommodate the growth in the next 18 to 24 months.
“We were delighted to acquire PlantCML this year as it is already the leading North American supplier of crisis communications and response solutions for public and private safety. It has served thousands of clients, from 911 centres and military bases, to airports and utilities,” Mr. Nasr said.
PlantCML is a perfect fit for SN P25 operations and will strengthen the presence of EADS Defence & Security in Canada, in particular in the Province of Quebec.
“Canada is of strategic importance for the EADS Group, whose activities generate there about $800 million a year in Canada and involve a hundred Canadian companies, said Hervé Garnier, Senior Vice President Northern/Western Europe & Canada and President of EADS Canada. This expansion will also help provide Industrial Regional Benefits for future contracts awarded in Canada".
SN P25 systems permit the seamless integration of multiple first responder services into one shared communications and data-sharing secure network. They:
SN is determined to be the leading P25 system supplier in North America, where numerous governments are considering or are already seeking and implementing P25 secure first responder and public safety systems.
Secure Networks is an integrated activity of EADS Defence & Security (DS). DS is a systems solutions provider for armed forces and civil security worldwide. Its portfolio ranges from sensors and secure networks through missiles to aircraft and UAVs as well as global security, service and support solutions. In 2007, DS – with around 22,000 employees – achieved revenues of € 5.5 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of € 39.1 billion and employs a workforce of about 116,000.
Contact
| Erwan HEBRE | EADS DS |
Tel.: +33 (0)6 78 20 77 85 mailto: erwan.hebre@eads.com |
| Lorin BRISTOW | PlantCML |
Tel.: +1 615 791 3987 mailto: lbristow@plantcml.com |
| Sean DURKAN | Association House |
Tel.: +1 613 851 2151 mailto: sdurkan@associationhouse.com |
